D’Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the Grammy-nominated group Tony! Toni! Toné!, known for iconic 1990s hits like “Anniversary,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” and “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow,” has passed away at the age of 64.
Wiggins died on Friday morning after a year-long battle with bladder cancer, as confirmed by a statement from his family shared on social media.
The family expressed, “D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service touched millions globally, including in his hometown of Oakland, California.” They also highlighted his many roles as a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor, and founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné! Wiggins was passionate about artist development and mentoring young musicians, helping to guide the early careers of many.
Despite his illness, Wiggins remained devoted to his family, music, fans, and community throughout his fight.
Wiggins was the vocalist and bass guitarist for the beloved R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, which also featured his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley. The group became a key part of the New Jack Swing movement, combining R&B, jazz, and elements of gospel melodies in their music.
The Oakland, California natives made their mark in the music world with their 1988 debut album, Who?, which featured tracks like “Baby Doll” and “Little Walter.” However, it was their 1990 album Feels Good, infused with New Jack Swing, that brought the group mainstream success, reaching No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
They followed up with two more studio albums, producing party anthems like “Let’s Get Down,” featuring DJ Quik, along with timeless slow jams such as “Whatever You Want,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow,” and “Anniversary,” which has become a staple in Black music romance. Their version of “It Never Rains” was a cover of the 1972 hit by British singer-songwriter Albert Hammond.
The blood relatives couldn’t have predicted how their success would impact their relationship. After their fourth album, 1996’s platinum-selling House of Music, the group parted ways. Fame, financial issues, miscommunication, and creative differences led to their split.
Wiggins and Riley continued to tour under the group’s name from 1998 to 2018, with Amar Khalil stepping in as the lead singer. During this time, Wiggins also worked as a producer and mentored emerging artists, including Zendaya, H.E.R., Kehlani, and even Destiny’s Child.
Thanks to Saadiq’s efforts, the group reconciled and reunited for a tour in 2023, marking their first road trip with all three original members in nearly three decades.
The family members made a commitment not to let outside influences such as managers, record executives, and the entertainment industry tear them apart again. They realized that time, especially professionally, was no longer a luxury.
In a 2023 interview, the group revealed plans for a new project.
“We’ve got a lot of material, and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music,” Wiggins said.